A parenting question...what would you do?

tashajayne2011

Both of my children have chicken pox. My 6yr old daughter seems generally fine but very spotty as I would expect but my son is nearly 11yrs old and this week he has had to start using a ventolin inhaler and antihistamines because he really has a very severe case (when we went to the doctors, other nurses were called in so that they could see what severe chicken pox looks like..great!)

He has the blisters everywhere and as well as not being able to get comfortable he is having real trouble eating and swallowing. After another night of barely any sleep and trying to persuade him to eat soft foods but failing I am seriously considering just giving up on getting him to eat solid foods and making up some USN diet fuel protein shake I was given by my sister (shes pregnant so cant use it and she thought it would help me as I hate eating breakfasts)

What would you do in my position? I know he needs something, he is sipping water but he is so pale and weak and just crying all the time

Pams_Shadow

When I had the chicken pox my mom made me chicken noodle soup. It's a cure-all.

jmp33

I am not sure a out the shake be ause I reay dont know much about it but I would start with warm broth, jello, Popsicles, ice cream. Anything that is easy to swallow. This is what I do with my daughter who is prone to strep throat. Good luck and hope he feels better soon!

sabrina32576

I don't have any suggestions but just wanted to say that I hope your children feel better soon.

AmberJslimsAWAY

chicken broth. My mommy used to make me this when I was a kid and was sick. Once I was sick for 2 weeks, lost 12 lbs, and the first thing I was able to eat was the meat out of a subway sandwich. Just ask what he wants to eat all the time, and tell him he must drink the broth. It's not a lot, but it's something

Meghan0116

Maybe do ensure or something like that instead of a protein shake. Warm broth will help too.

kirstyg1980

I took the chicken pos when I was 24.

Took it very bad, had them on my eye balls, tongue, throat and just about every inch of my body and I mean every inch

It was not fun and I looked like an extra from start trek, was also 2 months before I got married :-/

Soup etc would be best but he will get better with 48 hours so if he doesn't eat much its not the end of the world as long as he is taken on fluids and plenty of

I'm a mother of 2 and I know what its like when they won't eat

Hope they are both well soon x

lewandt

I would call your doctors office and talk to a nurse. They would probably have better ideas.

I feel for you, sick kids are so hard.

comet_wow

I would give him anything he asks for tbh. If he can manage to eat something he wants it's better than nothing at all. Hope he's better soon.

ericabrothers

as long as he is drinking fluids he should be fine. he may not feel like eating. how did they get chicken pox? they do 2 vaccines for it now and any time i've seen kids with chicken pox its a very mild case because of the vaccien. if his mouth and throat are that sore you could ask the dr to call in magic mouth wash. it has benadryl, maalox, and viscous lidocain in it and it can help with the pain. hope they feel better.

mooglysmom

He's going to have a rough time with solid fuels. I'd stick with popsicles, 7up, chicken noodle soup (well, really just chicken broth). Keeping him hydrated is the most important thing.

NeshBeMe

Pediasure and Pedialyte. I would push these two things on him all day. The Pediasure has protein and other things that would be the same as a meal replacement for kids that don't typically eat healthy. It comes in really great flavors and tastes REALLY good. If you get them really cold, it can taste like a milk shake. Pedialyte helps restore electrolytes. It doesn't taste the best but does come in popsicle form. Don't wait on something like this, you don't want him in the hospital and them feeding him thru a tube or IV. Good luck and hope he feels better soon.

Onesnap

I love the oatmeal bath by Aveeno.

And yes, I'm the poor sap that got Chicken Pox when I was 28!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PennStateChick

You could make him a fruit smoothie rather than using packaged ones if that is making you nervous. I have a "Green Monster" smoothie nearly every morning and my 3-yr old almost always has to have some. It's simple and all healthy things. I usually do the following..

1 banana
1/2 cup fruit (usually blueberries- it's my favorite)
1/2 cup milk
1 yogurt
a bunch of spinach
a glass of ice with a little bit of water to thin it out

It's quite yummy. You could leave out the spinach if it would bother your son, but truthfully when you use blueberries, the shake is purple anyhow.

I realize you might not have all this stuff just lying around, but fruit smoothies are easy to put together and you can change them easily. The only think I usually make sure to have is the banana, but that's just bc I like them.

LastMinuteMama

I would call the pediatrican to check for signs of dehydration. Is he taking anything for the pain? Also, Ibupropin (sp?) would take the swelling down and then he might be more comfortable swallowing.

In the meantime, I think some popsicles might be the most soothing. For nutrition, grab some made with fruit and yogurt. Poor little guy, I hope he feels better soon.

AmberJslimsAWAY

as long as he is drinking fluids he should be fine. he may not feel like eating. how did they get chicken pox? they do 2 vaccines for it now and any time i've seen kids with chicken pox its a very mild case because of the vaccien. if his mouth and throat are that sore you could ask the dr to call in magic mouth wash. it has benadryl, maalox, and viscous lidocain in it and it can help with the pain. hope they feel better.

some parents (like myself) don't vaccinate for chicken pox.

JJs25th

Sandard rule in our house if you are sick is eat what appeals to you. Get back to normal once you are well. I would be giving him the shakes -- if he likes them, sherbert, ginger ale, straight broth (chicken or beef) what ever he will take and keep down.

rossi02

If it's hurting him to swallow, I would go with whatever he can eat. I know you've already been to the doctor, but is the having issues swallowing new? If so, please call them about that, as that can be serious.

I'm sure you are already aware and it sounds like you already have meds for that issue.. I just had to say it. My youngest was recently diagnosed with tree nut allergy that affects his throat, so I'm just on super high alert when anyone complains of hurting when trying to swallow.

Hope he's feeling better soon.

catcrazy

Hes ill, hes still a kid...icecream, jelly, ice pops, milk shake and as someone else said the cure all chicken noodle soup.

Kids are pretty resilient and a few days of junk isnt going to harm him unless there are other health concerns, calories in are more important than macros right now.

odusgolp

I wouldn't even force the issue. He won't starve - when kid's are sick, they simply don't eat much. If you can get him to eat the other things suggested (broth, ice cream, etc.) he'll be OK. I wouldn't think an ensure would hurt if he likes it! When I had some severe throat issues and surgery I actually found things like mashed potatoes with a little bit more substance easier to swallow. May be worth a try?

Poor kids. There's just nothing worse than seeing them suffer. Did you opt against the Chicken Pox Vaccine?

ladyhawkgg

Try foods that he likes Ice cream, pudding, It doesn't matter with the nutrition at this point. Just get something into him will help. If he's a hardy kid then try noodles and call them worms or something to make it fun. Add some beef broth and call it dirt soup. Longs he has something. If he does not care for it when he well then he won't eat it when he's sick. Hope they feel better soon.

kk_stephens

First of all call the Dr back and let him know what is going on. Dehydration is never a good thing. Last thing you want is to have to take your son in to get an IV put in to rehydrate him. The Dr may be able to further perscribe something for him to help with the pain.

Other than that -- popsicles, chicken broth, jello, anything with as much liquid in it as possible....I dont think the shake would hurt but you can always call the doctor and ask him/her or the staff.

Hope your son feels better soon,

jennifeffer

I would take him back to the doctor or the hospital. He may have blisters in his throat. This happened with my sister's kids. Hope they are better soon. Nothing more heart wrenching for a mom than sick babies:(

tashajayne2011

as long as he is drinking fluids he should be fine. he may not feel like eating. how did they get chicken pox? they do 2 vaccines for it now and any time i've seen kids with chicken pox its a very mild case because of the vaccien. if his mouth and throat are that sore you could ask the dr to call in magic mouth wash. it has benadryl, maalox, and viscous lidocain in it and it can help with the pain. hope they feel better.

They don't immunise against chicken pox in the UK! I guess you could get the vaccine if you are a private patient but its not an NHS thing and most children here are not vaccinated. I didn't know it was any different in America until the other day. Crazy.

I gave him soup last night but the heat from the soup burst one of the blisters and he cried for ages I have spoken with the doctor about it and they say that as he is drinking water there is nothing they can suggest.

nwhitley

Yes, I would call the doctor or nurse on duty and ask. If he will drink, I would probably also give him PediaSure until I got an answer. I have a 12yr old and I still give it to him when he is sick. He should be okay as long as he stays hydrated. Hope he gets better soon.

I would call your doctors office and talk to a nurse. They would probably have better ideas.

I feel for you, sick kids are so hard.

NotGoddess

Popsicles and chicken broth were the standard with my kids. You might also try pedialyte freezer pops or make homemade pops with gatorade or similar electrolyte drinks if having something cold/frozen helps it go down better.

You might want to try colloidal oatmeal baths for soothing the skin - Aveeno is one brand.

Pocket_Pixi

I got chicken pox like that when I was younger - I don't even remember how old I was but I remember the chicken pox.

My mom had me drinking lots - mostly but gatorade etc. Chicken noodle soup was a big thing too. The Dr told her to keep me drinking as much as possible. Jello may work , and I know you want to give him the most nutritious stuff but even some ice cream may help - especially since he has a sore throat.


Good luck, hope your kids start feeling better soon.

cainie19

maybe some milkshakes? my mum was on a liquid diet last year and was given high calorie shakes called Esure from the doctor, they taste lovely

i hope they're better soon sweet x

jenlarz

Makes me want to cry. Poor kid. As a mom I would probably at least try the protein shakes, ensure, even carnation breakfast. I have a friend who swears by hot jello water when her kids are sick. I do agree that as long as he's getting fluids he'll be ok. Sending some prayers his way!

_greeneyedgirl_

I'd call your doctor. My son ended up in the hospital with dehydration after having his tonsils out because he refused to eat or drink anything. Call your physician he is the appropriate person to ask.

mslack01

I would get pediasure and make shakes with that.